About Phoenix Middle School
Phoenix Middle School is a public, lottery-based middle school in the Worthington City School District serving students in grades 7 and 8. Phoenix provides an innovative, student-centered learning experience designed specifically for young adolescents.
Our mission is to empower a community of learners who explore their Identity, strengthen their Interactions, and understand their Impact on the world.
Phoenix Is Intentionally Designed for Middle School Learners
Middle school students are at a unique and critical stage of development - academically, socially, emotionally, and cognitively. Phoenix is intentionally designed to meet these needs through research-based middle school practices that prioritize student voice, meaningful relationships, and deep learning.
Our program reflects what decades of middle-level research tells us works best for young adolescents:
- Strong relationships between students and teachers
- Interdisciplinary learning that makes content meaningful
- Opportunities for student choice and authentic engagement
- Instruction that values growth, reflection, and mastery
In recognition of this intentional design, Phoenix has been named a School of Distinction by the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE).
This national designation is awarded to a select group of schools that demonstrate excellence in implementing the essential attributes of successful middle schools, including:
- A whole-child approach to learning
- Equitable and inclusive practices
- Engaging, developmentally responsive curriculum
- A school culture grounded in respect, voice, and belonging
Along with the Worthington Schools graded course of study, Phoenix curriculum includes:
- Creative Start: Daily opportunities in the arts and music that nurture creativity, self-expression, and exploration for every student.
- Flexible Block Scheduling: Longer class periods that allow students to dive deeper into learning, collaborate across subjects, and build meaningful connections with teachers.
- Foundations: Instruction focused on essential skills such as writing, research, technology, public speaking, organization, and executive functioning.
- Connections: A philosophy and critical thinking course where students engage in inquiry, discussion, and project-based learning to examine big ideas and real-world questions.
- Learning Extensions: Teacher-supported time at the end of the day for concept mastery, academic support, enrichment, homework completion, clubs and extracurricular activities.
- Global Cultures: A course that develops global awareness, perspective-taking, and understanding of world issues, systems, and cultures.
- Mastery Assessment: An approach to assessment that emphasizes deep understanding and growth, allowing students to demonstrate learning and revise work until mastery is achieved.
- Student Voice and Student Choice: Students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences, building confidence, independence, and ownership.
- Strong Student–Teacher Relationships: Smaller learning communities, advisory groups, flexible scheduling, and intentional design create frequent opportunities for individualized feedback and meaningful connections.
- Phoenix Forum: A weekly, student-led gathering where students share ideas, engage in dialogue, and help shape the school community.
- Parent Forum: Regular opportunities for families to connect with staff, learn about Phoenix practices, ask questions, and engage in open, collaborative conversation.
